September 11th, 2025
by Pastor Allen
by Pastor Allen
Today marks the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, 24 years since our nation witnessed evil in its rawest form. On that day, moral relativism paused. Partisan politics were put on hold. For at least a moment, we all saw what evil looks like, no spin, no nuance, no attempt to soften the horror.
By the time I decided to transition from my previous church, I had completely withdrawn from social media, not out of fear, but out of weariness. I was tired of seeing humanity destroy each other from behind their screens. I was tired of toxicity. I was tired of Christians, too often, trading truth for tribalism.
But when the recruiters I chose to work with said to me, “You must re-engage on these platforms. Many churches will expect it,” something struck me. If Christians continue to concede these platforms, we leave people without a witness to the Gospel in one of the very places where their thinking and convictions are being shaped.
Yesterday, something unthinkable happened. Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and polarizing figure, but still a human being, was assassinated on a college campus. A place historically dedicated to the free exchange of ideas. And instead of debate, someone chose violence.
In recent weeks, we’ve also seen school shootings ravage children in places meant to be safe. The Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis, where two young children were killed and many wounded during a time of worship, reminds us that evil does not respect age, innocence, or sanctuary.
We have also witnessed other political assassination attempts, killings, and threats—this is not isolated. What happened to Charlie Kirk is part of a growing pattern of violence in our society, whether aimed at children in schools, worshippers, public figures, or ordinary citizens. We must see the connection, not to exploit grief, but to understand that evil, once permitted and unchallenged, spreads.
I do not care if you agree with the politics of Charlie Kirk or detest them. I do not care whether you consider his ideas wise or foolish. What matters is that we do not lose our ability to spot evil and call it out.
Romans 12:17-18 — Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
I have rarely stepped into politics in my role as pastor. I have chosen to be someone who seeks to unite, who tries to heal warring sides rather than pick a side. But this was objectively evil. We must call it so.
We must remember: the moment we objectify another human being, make them a villain so irredeemably evil that reason, kindness, and humanity no longer apply, we have lost something vital. Not just for them; for us. Particularly for us as Christians. Because all are made in God's image, entitling them to dignity, worth, and value.
Genesis 1:27 — So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
What I have seen on social media lately, even among people whom I deeply respect, even among fellow guests and members of Bay Hills, has me questioning whether I have the strength to keep showing up in that space. But I must. If for no other reason than to disrupt what I'm seeing with something more hopeful. People need a different perspective to produce that hope. I pray it's a welcome alternative to seeing people judging whose victimhood is legitimate, whose suffering deserves empathy, whose politics makes them acceptable or unacceptable.
When 9/11 happened, we did not scan the passenger lists or look at the names of Pentagon employees to decide who was worthy of compassion. We did not say, “I do not agree with everything they believe, so I care just a little bit (or a lot) less.” We simply saw evil for what it was. We grieved. We helped. We mourned. And we clung to the things that matter: life, love, sacrifice, and unity. Christian ethics demand that we show empathy to even our enemies.
Matthew 5:43-44 — You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.
So, what will we do now?
Micah 6:8 — No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Because when evil shows up, as it did 24 years ago and as it has again, we must respond not with silence, and not with more evil. We will need to respond with clarity. With conviction. With love.
John 13:34-35 — So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
I, for one, am praying for Charlie’s widow, Erika, and for their two young children — their 3-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son. May God give them comfort, strength, and peace in this difficult season, even if I disagreed with their dad.
_____________
Father,
We hold fast to Your promises that You are near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18 — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed), that You comfort those who mourn (Matthew 5:4 — God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted), and that no darkness is too deep for Your light to penetrate.
Lord, surround Erika and her children with Your presence. Give them peace that transcends understanding. Grant them protection, hope, and the assurance that Your love never fails.
Help us, each of us, to see people as You see them, to love as You love, even when the world encourages us to do otherwise. May our responses defy cynicism, refuse hatred, and rise to Your standard of compassion, dignity, and grace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By the time I decided to transition from my previous church, I had completely withdrawn from social media, not out of fear, but out of weariness. I was tired of seeing humanity destroy each other from behind their screens. I was tired of toxicity. I was tired of Christians, too often, trading truth for tribalism.
But when the recruiters I chose to work with said to me, “You must re-engage on these platforms. Many churches will expect it,” something struck me. If Christians continue to concede these platforms, we leave people without a witness to the Gospel in one of the very places where their thinking and convictions are being shaped.
Yesterday, something unthinkable happened. Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and polarizing figure, but still a human being, was assassinated on a college campus. A place historically dedicated to the free exchange of ideas. And instead of debate, someone chose violence.
In recent weeks, we’ve also seen school shootings ravage children in places meant to be safe. The Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis, where two young children were killed and many wounded during a time of worship, reminds us that evil does not respect age, innocence, or sanctuary.
We have also witnessed other political assassination attempts, killings, and threats—this is not isolated. What happened to Charlie Kirk is part of a growing pattern of violence in our society, whether aimed at children in schools, worshippers, public figures, or ordinary citizens. We must see the connection, not to exploit grief, but to understand that evil, once permitted and unchallenged, spreads.
I do not care if you agree with the politics of Charlie Kirk or detest them. I do not care whether you consider his ideas wise or foolish. What matters is that we do not lose our ability to spot evil and call it out.
Romans 12:17-18 — Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
I have rarely stepped into politics in my role as pastor. I have chosen to be someone who seeks to unite, who tries to heal warring sides rather than pick a side. But this was objectively evil. We must call it so.
We must remember: the moment we objectify another human being, make them a villain so irredeemably evil that reason, kindness, and humanity no longer apply, we have lost something vital. Not just for them; for us. Particularly for us as Christians. Because all are made in God's image, entitling them to dignity, worth, and value.
Genesis 1:27 — So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
What I have seen on social media lately, even among people whom I deeply respect, even among fellow guests and members of Bay Hills, has me questioning whether I have the strength to keep showing up in that space. But I must. If for no other reason than to disrupt what I'm seeing with something more hopeful. People need a different perspective to produce that hope. I pray it's a welcome alternative to seeing people judging whose victimhood is legitimate, whose suffering deserves empathy, whose politics makes them acceptable or unacceptable.
When 9/11 happened, we did not scan the passenger lists or look at the names of Pentagon employees to decide who was worthy of compassion. We did not say, “I do not agree with everything they believe, so I care just a little bit (or a lot) less.” We simply saw evil for what it was. We grieved. We helped. We mourned. And we clung to the things that matter: life, love, sacrifice, and unity. Christian ethics demand that we show empathy to even our enemies.
Matthew 5:43-44 — You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.
So, what will we do now?
- We will refuse to dehumanize even (especially) amid disagreement.
- We will refuse to trade righteousness for rightness.
- We will speak truth with grace, remembering that God loves the person even if we detest the worldview.
- We will engage online not as warriors first, but as witnesses of love, justice, and hope.
- We will reclaim the mission field that is social media, not with the loudest voice, but with the truest.
Micah 6:8 — No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Because when evil shows up, as it did 24 years ago and as it has again, we must respond not with silence, and not with more evil. We will need to respond with clarity. With conviction. With love.
John 13:34-35 — So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
I, for one, am praying for Charlie’s widow, Erika, and for their two young children — their 3-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son. May God give them comfort, strength, and peace in this difficult season, even if I disagreed with their dad.
_____________
Father,
We hold fast to Your promises that You are near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18 — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed), that You comfort those who mourn (Matthew 5:4 — God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted), and that no darkness is too deep for Your light to penetrate.
Lord, surround Erika and her children with Your presence. Give them peace that transcends understanding. Grant them protection, hope, and the assurance that Your love never fails.
Help us, each of us, to see people as You see them, to love as You love, even when the world encourages us to do otherwise. May our responses defy cynicism, refuse hatred, and rise to Your standard of compassion, dignity, and grace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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1 Comment
AMEN and Very well said!!